Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has urged Sanju Samson to bat in the middle order against Zimbabwe and take the attack against the spinners. Ashwin doesn’t want India to alter their top order in a must-win game against Zimbabwe.

Abhishek Sharma hasn’t been in the best of form as he has managed only 15 runs in four games. On the other hand, Samson had scored a little cameo of 8-ball 22 against Namibia in Delhi. Before the World Cup, Samson had managed only 46 runs in five matches against New Zealand, and thus Ishan Kishan was preferred ahead of him.

“I want to see if India can get a right-hander in the top three. Abhishek, Ishan, and Tilak are all left-handers. Can they insert a number three? Before playing for CSK, Sanju Samson could already play in their home ground,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin wants Samson to bat at number five and take the attack against the spinners.

“In an ideal case scenario, Sanju should come in surely. But I will not look to disturb the combination by making him play at three or opening. Sanju will slot in as a spin hitter. We have a problem against spin so I would use him there. I will want to push him at number five and ask to up the anti against spinners,” he explained.

The former Tamil Nadu spinner wants SKY to bat at one drop and play either Tilak Varma or Sanju Samson at number four, depending on the situation.

“I would say Suryakumar Yadav at three, Tilak Varma or Sanju at four, depending on who is bowling. I will continue with it and not change the stability of the side. And I will definitely approve Axar Patel coming back in.”

The former CSK all-rounder wants India to play both Axar Patel and Washington Sundar against Zimbabwe.

“What I think will happen is that either opener or Tilak will give way for Sanju Samson. I think Rinku will go out and they will continue with Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. This is my thought process,” he said.

India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.